JP7262473B2 - A food packaging machine that tracks food safety data using hash trees - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to food packaging machines. More particularly, this invention relates to food packaging machines that track food safety data.

Food safety is an increasingly important topic in the industrial production and packaging of food. In the event of a food safety incident such as a damaged package or contaminated food contents, it is important to have quick access to all food safety related data at hand. The data should be as accurate as possible and should be able to identify all other packages potentially affected by the same food safety incident. Finally, food safety related data must be tamper-proof in the sense that it should be quickly and easily verified whether a given data set is authentic.

In WO2017/114666A1 a method for quality control of packaging systems is disclosed. The method includes receiving a record of package identification data, the record of package identification data being associated with the package. The package identification data record is then used to identify and receive a machine data record, the machine data record relating to a machine setup used in manufacturing the package. Thereafter, a packaging quality parameter to be checked is identified on the basis of said machine data record, and a packaging quality data record associated with said packaging quality parameter is requested.

Tracking food safety data is different than tracking quality data. Food safety applies along the entire product life cycle, from the production of food, through packaging, transportation and sale of the packaged food, to final consumption of the food by the consumer. Quality control of the packaging system is performed for all practical purposes relevant to the producer of the package. In contrast, food safety data pertains to all entities involved in any part of the product lifecycle. This includes farmers who produce food, entities that process or pack food, distributors and distributors of packaged food, and consumers who wish to consume uncompromisingly safe food.

US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0262862 A1 describes a method for managing and providing product provenance using blockchain technology. The association of a unique product identifier to the product and the anti-counterfeiting device to the product as it moves along the supply chain from its source phase, through the transformation phase, and through the transportation phase, which also has a unique identifier. There is disclosure of any association with There may be more than one product identifier or anti-counterfeiting device as the product may be combined, divided or packaged. Storing and forging unique identifiers for products to data memory devices by servers to manage and facilitate the generation and association of identifiers as the products move along the supply chain There is a data memory device for association with unique identifiers of prevention devices and other associations. The server is also adapted to receive and store in the data memory device one or more characteristics of the product as it exists or is created as the product moves along the supply chain. Upon receipt by the processor of the unique identifier of the product or anti-counterfeiting device, an inquiry for the origin of the product makes available at least one characteristic associated with the product. The use of blockchain allows for the creation of blocks for each recorded characteristic, the ability to search for records associated with the block, and the recorded characteristic within the blockchain that is uniquely associated with a particular product. Allows to verify that it is the same as retrieved from the block.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to at least partially overcome the technical problems faced by prior art machines and methods and to provide improvements thereon.

A particular object is to provide a food packaging machine that allows food safety related data to be collected, tracked and recorded in a tamper-resistant and tamper-proof manner for all practical purposes.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a food packaging machine that records tamper-resistant food safety related data in an efficient manner that reduces the amount of data transmitted over a network connection.

Another specific object of the present invention is a food packaging machine that collects a set of food safety related data and combines the data into a food data transaction that is tamper resistant and ready for processing and recording in an external device. is to provide

To solve any of these objects, a food packaging machine according to claim 1 is provided. A further improvement is provided in a food packaging machine according to claims 1-10.

According to another aspect of the invention, any of the stated objects are achieved by a method for tracking data in a food packaging machine as claimed in claim 15 and a computer program as claimed in claim 16.

One particular object of the present invention is to package food that allows food safety related data to be collected, tracked and recorded in a tamper-resistant and tamper-proof manner for all practical purposes. It is to provide a system.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a system for packaging food that records tamper-resistant food safety-related data in an efficient manner that reduces the amount of data transmitted over network connections. That's what it is.

Another specific object of the present invention is a packaging method for food that collects a set of food safety related data and combines the data into a food data transaction that is tamper resistant and ready to be processed and recorded in an external device. It is to provide a system for

To solve any of these objectives, a system for packaging food is provided. A system for packaging food comprises a plurality of food packaging machines according to claim 11. A further improvement is provided in a system for packaging food products according to claims 12 and 14.

According to another aspect of the invention, any of the stated objects are achieved by a method for tracking data in a food packaging machine according to claim 17 and a computer program according to claim 18.

Still other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the following detailed description and from the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention. FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention. FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention. FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for packaging food products comprising two food packaging machines according to the invention. FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for packaging food products comprising two food packaging machines according to the invention. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a system for packaging food products comprising two food packaging machines according to the invention. FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method for tracking data in a food packaging machine according to the invention. FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method for tracking data in a system for packaging food with first and second food packaging machines according to the invention.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a food packaging machine.

As used herein, the term "food" refers to any product intended for human or animal consumption, including, but not limited to, edible foods, beverages, and pharmaceuticals. Food can be raw or processed. Consumption may be orally or via any other method of providing the product into the body of the consuming human or animal. The food may be liquid. The food may be a liquid containing particulates. Food may be viscous. The food may be solid.

The food packaging machine is equipped with a packaging supply module. As used herein, the term "packaging supply module" refers to any module of a food packaging machine operable to supply packaging material to the filling module. The packaging material can be supplied in various ways. The packaging material may be supplied as a continuous material, such as a woven material, which is then cut into pieces to form individual containers before or after filling. Alternatively, the packaging material may be supplied in individual forms such as blanks that can form a package or group of packages. The packaging can be supplied in the form of ready-to-fill containers such as bottles. The packaging material can be supplied in the form of preforms that are then transformed into the final package shape by a molding process such as stretch blow molding.

As used herein, the term "wrapping material" refers to any material or combination of materials suitable for containing food products within a sealed package made from the wrapping material. The packaging material may be suitable to protect the food product from unwanted interactions with the environment such as contamination, light exposure, or oxidation. Suitable packaging materials include, but are not limited to, paper, modified paper (such as oil paper), paperboard, metals (such as aluminum), polymeric materials (such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, PET, polystyrene, polycarbonate, etc.), and glass. Not limited. Suitable wrappers also include, but are not limited to, combinations of the above wrappers, such as laminated wrappers comprising layers of any of the aforementioned materials. The laminated packaging material may comprise a core layer of paperboard. The core layer of the laminated packaging material may comprise cellulose fibers. Laminate packaging may comprise polymeric layers (such as polyethylene layers) on the inner and outer surfaces of the paperboard to enhance the liquid impermeability of the material. Laminated packaging may also include additional layers, such as metal foil layers, to reduce oxygen permeation through the material. Additional layers may be positioned between the inner surface of the paperboard and the inner polymeric layer.

A food packaging machine includes a food supply module. As used herein, the term "food supply module" refers to any module of a food packaging machine operable to supply food to a filling module where the food is filled into packages. Food can be delivered as a continuous flow of fluid or viscous product, such as a beverage. The rate at which this continuous flow is controlled can be done through valves or nozzles. Velocity can be measured, such as by measuring weight or volume with a suitable sensor. Alternatively, the food product can be provided in individual portions or items such as ice cream bars or confectionery.

The food packaging machine further comprises a filling module. As used herein, the term "filling module" means receiving food from the food supply module, receiving packaging from the packaging supply module, filling the received food into the packaging, and filling the packaging with the food. Refers to any food packer module operable to seal packages. The seal may be intended to remain unopened until the consumer opens the package to consume the packaged food product. An unbroken seal and package can therefore indicate to the consumer that the package contains the food in an uncompromising manner after packaging the food. The filling module may be operable to form packages formed from packaging material supplied by the packaging material supply module. Many different methods of forming packages are known in the art. Forming the package may be as simple as positioning and orienting the packaging material received from the packaging supply module for filling. Another method of forming a package is to form a tube by longitudinally sealing one longitudinal edge of a supplied woven wrapping material against the other longitudinal edge. A food product such as a liquid diet may then be filled into the vertically arranged tube. Individual packages may then be formed by laterally sealing and cutting the tube. The individual packages may then be further formed by folding into a desired shape, such as a cuboid shaped package. The forming step may further include folding the flap over and attaching it to the body of the package. Another method of forming the package is to create a sleeve from the wrapping material and then close at one end, either the top or the bottom, to form a half-open blank. The food product may then be filled into the half-open blank and then the other end of the blank sealed to form a sealed package. The sleeve or sealed package may be reformed by folding to give the sealed package a desired shape. Alternatively, the filling module may receive preformed packages, such as preforms, from the packaging supply module and transform the preforms into packages ready for filling, such as by stretch blow molding. The filling module may also receive from a packaging supply ready-to-fill packages comprising containers such as bottles having openings to be filled. The opening of the ready-to-fill container may be the same opening through which the consumable food is emptied from the final package, or it may be permanently sealed after filling the package with the food. It may be another opening that may be used. The filling module may be operable to seal the filled package, such as by sealing the wrapper. The filled package may be sealed so that the packaged food cannot be accessed from the outside without opening the package. Sealing of the filled container may be achieved by applying a re-openable closure such as a cap or by applying a non-re-openable closure such as a tear-off foil over the opening. The applied closure may have a tamper evident feature. The filling module may be operable to output sealed, formed and filled packages. The package is output to further downstream equipment such as downstream equipment for processing packaged food (such as retort or pasteurizer) for packaging a plurality of sealed packages into bundles wrapped by secondary packaging. may

The food packaging machine may further comprise a food processing module. As used herein, the term "food processing module" refers to any module of a food packaging machine that affects the composition, consistency, or condition of food. The food processing module may be located upstream of the food supply module, integrated with the food supply module, or downstream of the filling module. Food processing modules suitable for many foods are known in the art and include, among others, mixers, bladed and bladeless blenders, filtration modules, heaters, coolers, curing tunnels, baking ovens, pasteurizers, retorts. , etc. The food processing module may include sensors for measuring operating parameters related to food safety. The food processing module may comprise storage means for storing the measured parameters.

The food packaging machine also includes a hardware data processor. As used herein, the terms "hardware processor" or "hardware data processor" refer to electronic circuitry operable to execute computer program instructions. Such instructions include, at a basic level, but are not limited to instructions for performing computation, logic, control, and input/output (I/O) operations. A hardware processor may include volatile or permanent memory for storing computer program instructions and for storing data. A hardware processor may comprise a microprocessor that incorporates the functions of a computer's central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit or on at most several integrated circuits. A microprocessor may be a multi-purpose, clock-driven, register-based digital integrated circuit that accepts binary data as input, processes it according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides the result as output. Microprocessors contain both combinatorial and sequential digital logic. Microprocessors work with numbers and symbols represented in a binary number system. A hardware processor may be configured to be connected to a data bus for exchanging data with other hardware processors or other storage devices. Such connections may be wired or wireless. The terms "hardware processor" and "hardware data processor" are used interchangeably in this disclosure.

A hardware processor of the food packaging machine is operatively connected to the packaging supply module to receive packaging data package records indicative of packaging batches currently being supplied to the filling module. The packaging material supply module may comprise a hardware processor operatively connected to a sensor sensing characteristics of the packaging material currently being supplied to the fill module by the packaging material supply module. The sensor may be a sensor configured to read a one-dimensional optical code (such as a barcode) or a two-dimensional optical code (such as a QR code) from the outer surface of the packaging material. The hardware processor may be connected to user input terminals, where an operator can input information identifying the packaging material currently being supplied to the fill module by the packaging supply module. The hardware processor may be configured to create a packaging material data record including information indicative of a packaging material batch currently being supplied to the filling module. The hardware processor may also include time stamps, location information, a unique identifier for the packaging supply module such as a digital signature, additional information about any of the components of the packaging, temperature, humidity, run time, sterility, current Additional information may be configured to be added to the packaging data record including, but not limited to, other information regarding the current state of the packaging supply module such as operating speed, operator identification, or other operating parameters. . Such information may be obtained by the hardware processor from an attached memory, from a user input terminal, or from other data sources to which the hardware processor is coupled via a data network. An operable connection between the hardware processor and the packaging supply module may be direct or indirect. An indirect connection may be achieved by operatively connecting the packaging supply module with the fill module and the fill module with the hardware processor.

A hardware processor of the food packaging machine is operatively connected to the food supply module to receive food data records indicative of food batches currently being supplied to the filling module. The food supply module may comprise a hardware processor operably connected to sensors sensing characteristics of the food batch currently being supplied by the food supply module to the fill module. The sensor may be a sensor configured to read a one-dimensional optical code (such as a barcode) or a two-dimensional optical code (such as a QR code) from the outer surface of the container in which the food product is supplied to the food supply module. The hardware processor may be connected to user input terminals where an operator can input information identifying the food batch currently being dispensed by the food supply module to the fill module. The hardware processor may be configured to create a food product data record including information indicative of the food product batch currently being dispensed to the filling module. The hardware processor may also include time stamps, location information, a unique identifier for the food supply module such as a digital signature, additional information about any of the ingredients of the food batch (time and location of production, time and form of transportation from origin, etc.); Additional information including, but not limited to, other information regarding the current state of the food supply module such as temperature, humidity, run time, sterility, current run speed, operator identification, or other operating parameters. It may be configured to append to the record. Such information may be obtained by the hardware processor from an attached memory, from a user input terminal, or from other data sources to which the hardware processor is coupled via a data network. An operative connection between the hardware processor and the food supply module may be direct or indirect. An indirect connection may be achieved by operatively connecting the food supply module with the fill module and the fill module with the hardware processor.

A hardware processor of the food packaging machine is operatively connected to the fill module to receive fill data records indicative of at least one operating parameter of the fill module. Suitable parameters include a unique identifier for the fill module, temperature, sterility, run speed, fill module location, current run time and date, time elapsed since last run, Including, but not limited to, the number of packages manufactured and the volume or weight of food packaged since the last start-up. The filling data record may comprise part or all of either the packaging data record or the food data record or both data records.

A hardware processor of the food packaging machine may be operatively connected to a food processing module provided on the food packaging machine. The hardware processor may receive food processing data records indicative of at least one operating parameter of the filling module. Suitable parameters include a unique identifier for the food processing module, temperature, sterility, speed of operation, location of the food processing module, current time and date of operation, elapsed time since last start, and last start. including, but not limited to, the volume or weight of the food product after it has been processed.

The hardware processor of the food packaging machine stores all of a time stamp identifying the time the filling module filled the supplied food product into the formed package, a machine data record identifying the filling module or the food packaging machine, and a packaging material data record. or part, and operable to create food data transactions relating to all or part of the food data record. A food data record may also relate to all or part of any filling data record. Alternatively, the hardware processor of the food packaging machine is operable to create a food data transaction comprising a plurality of food data records, each such data record comprising the above data.

As used herein, the term “food data transaction” refers to data derived from data comprising all or part of the food data record and all or part of the packaging data record. A food product data transaction may be derived from data comprising all or part of a corresponding plurality of food product data record and packaging data record pairs. Food data transactions may comprise data derived from food processing data records. Food data transactions may be digitally signed by the hardware processor that creates them. The data from which food data transactions are derived may further comprise data relating to previous food data transactions made on the same food packaging machine. The data from which food data transactions are derived may further comprise data received from external entities such as network data processing systems. A digital signature verifies the entire data content of a data transaction. A digital signature may be performed by creating a cryptographic hash value of all or part of a data record. The digital signature further creates a cryptographic hash value of each individual food data record of all or a portion of the food data records within the transaction, and then one, some, or It may be done by creating a cryptographic hash value of all combinations. A food product data transaction may take the form of a hash tree of individual food product data records. A food product data transaction may consist of the top hash value of a hash tree created from individual food product data records.

As used herein, the term "hash tree" means that all nodes except the initial node have one or more predecessor nodes, and one, two or more, or all of the predecessor nodes' labels Refers to a data structure in the form of a tree labeled by a cryptographic hash. Hash trees with many nodes that have two or more predecessors (eg, Merkle trees, etc.) allow efficient and secure verification of the contents of large data structures. A hash tree may comprise a top node derived by creating one or more generations of hash values of initial nodes (data nodes). The top node of a hash tree is the only node where no further hash values have been created. A hash tree may be a hash list where one node (top hash) is labeled with the cryptographic hash (list of hashes) of all other nodes' labels. A hash tree may be a hash chain in which each node has exactly one predecessor node, labeled with the cryptographic hash of the predecessor node's label. The hash tree is available at http://dx. doi. org/10.6028/NIST. FIPS. Standard Hash Function (SHS) published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, available at US Department of Commerce (U.S. Department of Commerce), FIPS PUB 180-4, August 2015).

As used herein, the term "hash function" refers to any function that can be used to map data of arbitrary size ("message") to data of fixed size ("value"). Point. A value returned by a hash function is called a hash value or simply a hash.

As used herein, the term "cryptographic hash" as used herein refers to a hash returned by a cryptographic hash function. As used herein, the term "cryptographic hash function" refers to a special class of hash functions that are constructed to be difficult to reverse. Cryptographic hash functions may be deterministic, so the same message will always have the same hash. A cryptographic hash function may be configured to quickly compute a hash value for any given message. A cryptographic hash function may be configured such that it is substantially infeasible to generate a message from its hash value except by trying all possible messages. A cryptographic hash function may be constructed such that a small change to a message causes the hash value to change significantly such that the new hash value appears uncorrelated with the old hash value. A cryptographic hash function may be configured such that it is virtually infeasible to find two different messages with the same hash value. MD5, SHA-0, SHA-1, SHA-2 (including variants), SHA-3 (including variants), SHAKE128, SHAKE256, BLAKE, BLAKE2, and sponge functions (including Keccak sponge functions), but A variety of suitable cryptographic hash functions, including but not limited to these, are known in the art.

The food packaging machine may include a local storage device for storing food data records. The local storage device may be operatively connected to the hardware data processor of the food packaging machine. If a data transaction does not contain the complete data of the food data record with which it is associated, retrieve the underlying data from the local storage device, recreate the food data transaction and compare its hash values with its previous Accuracy can be verified by comparing food data transactions from The local storage device may form part of the food packaging machine or may be located at another location that is connected to the food packaging machine via a wired or wireless network connection.

A hardware processor of the food packaging machine is operatively connected to the network data processing system. As used herein, a "network data processing system" means a device that transmits data to another entity with a hardware processor over network connections established between the network data processing system and the other entity. and refers to a data processing system comprising a hardware processor operable to receive data from them. As used herein, the term "network connection" refers to a connection between separate entities each equipped with a hardware processor capable of transmitting and receiving data, such as digital data. The network connection may be a wired connection (such as a wide area network based on the Ethernet protocol), a wireless network connection (such as a wireless area network), or a combination of wired and wireless. A network data processing system is physically separate from any entities to which it is connected via a network connection, and is preferably located separately from at least one of the connected entities.

A network data processing system is operatively connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices for storing distributed instances of data hash trees. As used herein, the term "network storage device" refers to a data processing system with a hardware processor and permanent memory for storing information. A network storage device is operable to receive data over a network connection from another entity with a hardware processor, such as a network data processing system. A network storage device may be operable to read data from its permanent memory and transmit such data over a network connector to another entity such as a network data processing system or network storage device. The network storage device is physically separate from any entities to which it is connected via a network of data connections and is preferably located separately from at least one of the connected entities.

A network data processing system is operable to read the packaged food production data hash tree from one of the network storage devices.

As used herein, the term "packaged food production data hash tree" refers to a hash tree comprising data transactions relating to the production of packaged food products. The packaged food production data hash tree may comprise a plurality of individual data transactions, each relating to food data records created by a plurality of food packaging machines. The packaged food production data hash tree is created by the hardware processor of the second food packaging machine with a first plurality of individual data transactions each relating to food data records created by the hardware processor of the first food packaging machine. a second plurality of separate data transactions for each food data record to be processed, whereby the first and second food packaging machines are located at the same plant or at different plants at separate locations; good too.

The packaged food production data hash tree may have the form of a hash tree in which food data transactions received by the network processing system form the initial nodes. The network processing system creates a hash value of the received food data transaction, optionally with a timestamp of the time of receipt by the network processing system or a unique identifier for the network processing system, or both. good too. The packaged food production data hash tree comprises nodes for those food data transactions received during a particular time interval or a subset of the received food data transactions for those received from the same food packaging machine, etc. may Such nodes may be created by computing hash values of accumulated food data transactions. The packaged food production data hash tree may comprise additional nodes created by computing hash values for cumulative subsets of nodes for subsets of food data transactions. A food data transaction has a tree that may have a top node. A new top node of the food data transaction hash tree may be obtained by computing a hash value for the previous top node and the cumulative food data transactions received since the creation of the previous top node. The food data transaction hash tree may comprise a time series of top hash nodes in the form of a hash list in which the most recent top node is labeled with the hash values of one or more previous top nodes.

The network data processing system may further be operable to read the packaged food production data hash tree from the second network storage device and optionally from further network storage devices. The network data processing system is configured to compare the first packaged food production data hash tree received from the first network data store with the second packaged food production data hash tree received from the second network data store. It may be operable. Such a comparison may be performed by comparing hashed ciphers of received packaged food production data hash trees. The network data processing system may be operable to output a warning if it determines that the first packaged food production data hash tree is not identical to the second packaged food production data hash tree.

The network data processing system may be capable of initializing the packaged food production data hash tree if no pre-existing packaged food production data hash tree is stored on the network storage device.

The network data processing system is operable to add received food data transactions to a packaged food production data hash tree of data. Food data transactions may be added to the food production data hash tree according to a predetermined format of the food production data hash tree. The step of adding the food data transaction to the food production data hash tree includes identifying the received food data transaction, optionally with a timestamp of the time of receipt by the network processing system and/or a unique identifier of the network processing system. A step of creating a hash value of the food data transaction may be included. The step of adding the food data transaction to the food production data hash tree includes creating a hash value of the received food data transaction and sending the hash value of the received food data transaction to the network processing system along with a timestamp of the time of receipt by the network processing system. storing in a local storage device associated with the . Therefore, to verify the food data records of a particular food packaging machine, the hash values of the food data transactions received from that machine are compared with the locally stored values to determine the entire food production data hash tree or a portion thereof. can be recreated and compared with a previously saved version.

The network data processing system may be operable to transmit data records derived from data presently present in the network data processing system to the hardware processors of the connected food packaging machines. Such data may be included by the food packaging machine's hardware processor when creating subsequent food data transactions. The data records transmitted to each food packaging machine operatively connected with the network data processing system may be the same or different. The data record transmitted to the first food packaging machine is derived from data comprising data relating to at least one other food packaging machine, preferably a plurality or all other operably connected food packaging machines. good too.

The network data processing unit system is operable to produce distributed storage of distributed identical instances of data-added packaged food production data hash trees in a plurality of network storage devices. The multiple network storage devices may be located at different locations, and preferably each network storage device is located at a different location. By maintaining network storage devices in different locations, it is highly unlikely that all network storage devices will be physically destroyed at the same time or by the same event, and network storage devices in different locations further reduce the risk of network storage devices can be access controlled (both physically and electronically) by separate and independent entities, making it difficult to control all network storage devices in an attempt to tamper with the packaged food production data hash tree. can be The packaged food production data hash trees stored on all network storage devices may be compared to verify the uncompromised packaged food production data hash tree. Verification may be accomplished by comparing hash values provided at the nodes of the tree.

A hardware processor of the food packaging machine is operable to send the food data transaction to the network data processing system for adding the food data transaction to the data hash tree. The transmission of food data transactions may occur at regular time intervals, or alternatively may occur at irregular or randomly selected time intervals. The transmission of food data transactions may be triggered by an external signal, such as a signal transmitted from a network data processing system.

The hardware processor of the food packaging machine is operable to receive the augmented packaged food production data hash tree from the network data processing system, wherein the augmented packaged food production data hash tree is processed by the network data processing system. With food data transactions added to the packaged food production data hash tree. A packaged food production data hash tree may be obtained from at least one of a plurality of network storage devices by a network data processing system.

In FIG. 1 an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention is shown. The food packaging machine 100 comprises a packaging supply module 110, a food supply module 120, and a filling module . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 140 operably connected to the packaging supply module 110 and the food supply module 120 . Hardware data processor 140 is operatively connected to network data processing system 150 . Network data processing system 150 is further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 161 and 162 .

In another aspect, the invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein the hardware data processor is further operably connected to the fill module to receive fill data records indicative of at least one operating parameter of the fill module. may

In figure 2 an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention is shown. The food packaging machine 100 comprises a packaging supply module 110, a food supply module 120, and a filling module . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 140 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 110 , the food supply module 120 and the filling module 130 . Hardware data processor 140 is operatively connected to network data processing system 150 . Network data processing system 150 is further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 161 and 162 .

In another aspect, the invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein the food packaging machine further comprises one of a network storage device. Accessing the packaged food production data hash tree is a potential advantage if the network storage device is located locally. Another potential advantage is that network storage devices can be governed by the same physical and electronic access restrictions as food packaging machines and hardware data processors.

In figure 3 an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention is shown. The food packaging machine 100 comprises a packaging supply module 110, a food supply module 120, and a filling module . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 140 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 110 , the food supply module 120 and the filling module 130 . Hardware data processor 140 is operatively connected to network data processing system 150 . Network data processing system 150 is further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 161 and 162 . Food packaging machine 100 includes network storage 162 .

In another aspect, the invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein the hardware data processor may be further operably connected to a second network data processing system separate from the first network data processing system. good. Providing a second network data processing system allows the data transmitted by the hardware data processor to be processed at at least two different locations, potentially independent of each other. Redundancy can be used to avoid system failures when one of the network data processing systems fails or is unavailable. Redundancy can be used to provide workload balancing among network data processing systems. The network data processing system can be used in predetermined or random sequences specified ad hoc by an external entity or one of the network data processing systems.

A second network data processing system may be operatively connected to the plurality of network storage devices. This configuration allows for distributed storage of data generated by the second network data processing system.

Each of the second network data processing units may be operable to read the second packaged food production data hash tree from one of the network storage devices. Each of the second network data processing units may be operable to add a block of received data transactions to the second packaged food production data hash tree. Each of the second network data processing units may be operable to cause distributed storage of identical instances of the first and second packaged food production data hash trees to be stored on the network storage device.

Further, it is possible to have at least two network data processing systems perform the same processing of the data provided by the hardware data processor of the food packaging machine so that the results can be compared. A comparison of the resulting data can identify whether one network data processing system is compromised. The ability to identify compromised data is relevant to making food safety data tamper-proof. Having two or more, and preferably many, network data processing systems requires an attacker to control all systems in order to alter all data. Attacks can be identified as soon as data generated by one network data processing system deviates from data generated by another network data processing system.

In FIG. 4 an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention is shown. The food packaging machine 100 comprises a packaging supply module 110, a food supply module 120, and a filling module . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 140 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 110 , the food supply module 120 and the filling module 130 . Hardware data processor 140 is operatively connected to first network data processing system 151 and second network data processing system 152 . First network data processing system 151 is further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 161 and 162 . Second network data processing system 152 is further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 163 and 164 .

In FIG. 5 an exemplary embodiment of a food packaging machine according to the invention is shown. The food packaging machine 100 comprises a packaging supply module 110, a food supply module 120, and a filling module . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 140 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 110 , the food supply module 120 and the filling module 130 . Hardware data processor 140 is operatively connected to first network data processing system 151 and second network data processing system 152 . Each of network data processing systems 151 and 152 is further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 161 and 162 .

In another aspect, the invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein the hardware data processor may be further operably connected to a second network data processing system separate from the first network data processing unit. good. The first and second network data processing units may be operably connected to multiple network storage devices. The first network data processing system and the second data processing unit system each add blocks of the received data transaction to a packaged food production data hash tree and distribute the added data hash tree to the network storage device. It may be operable according to a joint consensus mechanism to store identical instances. As used herein, the term “joint consensus mechanism” means that the additional hash trees created by each of the first and second network data processing devices are identical and conform to predetermined rules of hash trees. and can be assured with a defined level of certainty that this appended hash tree is then transmitted and stored in a network storage device.

A defined level of certainty of the joint consensus mechanism may be provided with a defined level of security, which may be defined by a defined portion of the network data processing system that computes the same hash tree. Each network data processing system is operable to add hash trees such that the added hash trees comprise information identifying other participating network data processing systems that computed the same added hash tree. good too.

The defined level of certainty of the joint consensus mechanism may have a defined level of activity, which may be defined by the defined part of the network data processing system that ultimately computed the additional hash trees. . Each network data processing system is operable to add hash trees such that the added hash trees comprise information identifying other participating network data processing systems that computed the added hash trees after a predetermined time. may

A defined level of certainty of the joint consensus mechanism may be provided with a defined level of fault tolerance. The defined level of fault tolerance may comprise a defined level of fault tolerance for non-participating network data processing systems. These non-participants may have ceased functioning or communication between the affected systems may have been interrupted. A defined level of fault tolerance may comprise a defined level of fault tolerance to Byzantine failures, where participating network data processing systems are configured to generate additional hash trees that randomly deviate from expected additional hash trees. I will provide a.

Proof-of-work, Proof-of-state, Proof-of-Elapsed Time, Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance, SIEVE, Cross Fault Tolerance (XFT), Federated Byzantine Consensus (such as the Ripple Consensus Protocol Algorithm and the Stellar Consensus Protocol), and Swirlds Hashgraph Many suitable consensus mechanisms, including but not limited to consensus algorithms, based on hardware processors executing specialized instruction sets are known in the art.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein the packaged food production data hash tree may be a distributed ledger. As used herein, the term "distributed ledger" refers to a packaged food production data hash tree that is shared, replicated, and synchronized across network storage devices. A distributed ledger records food data transactions between network storage devices. One or more network data processing means may govern and agree by consensus regarding updates to records within the packaged food production data hash tree. Every record in the distributed packaged food production data hash tree may have a timestamp and a unique cryptographic signature, thus the ledger creates an auditable history of every food data transaction in the network. do. One of the many suitable implementations of distributed ledger technology known in the art is the open source Hyperledger Fabric blockchain.

In another aspect, the invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein the data hash tree is a blockchain. As used herein, the term “blockchain” refers to a packaged food production data hash tree comprising blocks of data that are shared, replicated and synchronized across network storage devices. Each block of data comprises at least a first food data transaction from a first food packaging machine and a second food data transaction from a second food packaging machine. Each block as a whole may contain a cryptographic hash of its entire data content. Creating a cryptographic hash of cumulative data by mixing data from two or more food packaging machines, preferably from many food packaging machines, makes it difficult to retroactively modify the packaged food production data hash tree. to increase The blockchain used in the present invention may be a public blockchain that allows any party to set up a network data processing system or network data storage system and participate in maintaining and managing the packaged food production data hash tree. . The blockchain used in the present invention is a private blockchain in which parties who operate a network data processing system or a network data storage system and who can participate in the maintenance and management of the packaged food production data hash tree are centrally identified. There may be. One of the advantages of a private blockchain is that the identity of each party participating in the blockchain can be verified before granting access to the blockchain, and that each participant's compliance can be tracked.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein the packaged food production data hash tree is a semi-public blockchain. As used herein, the term “semi-public blockchain” means that permission to participate in a blockchain by operating a network data processing system or network data storage system allows access based on predefined criteria. Refers to a blockchain that is given In order to maintain the integrity of the packaged food production data hash tree, it is desirable to be able to make it difficult for multiple participants in the blockchain to maliciously modify the packaged food production data hash tree. Food packaging machines generally do not operate continuously, but must be shut down periodically for cleaning or maintenance. Food packaging machines are subject to unscheduled shutdowns when mechanical components fail. In a semi-public blockchain, it may be possible to join as a participant and terminate participation while the blockchain is running. One advantage of semi-private blockchains is that the identity of each party participating in the blockchain can be verified before granting access to the blockchain, and compliance of each participant can be tracked. In the semi-private blockchain of the present invention, the implementation of the blockchain may be controlled by one entity, such as by setting management and participation rules and granting participation rights to other entities. In the semi-private blockchain of the present invention, the number and identity of blockchain participants may be tracked for each block of the blockchain.

In another aspect, the invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein the food data package received by the hardware data processor unit comprises transactions stored in a food production data hash tree, the machine data processing unit: Prior to creating a food data transaction, it is operable to validate the food data package with the food production data hash tree hash tree. In order to keep the data content of the food production data hash tree as complete and traceable as possible, the hash tree also includes food safety related data from the food product life cycle of the food that is filled into packages by the food packaging machine. It is advantageous to have data transactions related to events. As used herein, the term "data transaction relating to food safety-related events" refers to data from any event from the initial production of any component of a food product to the filling of the package with the food product on a food packaging machine. refers to any data transaction with Such data may include the origin of the food ingredient, the time and place of harvest or production, the time and place, and the environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity during which the food is stored or transported, the operator or entity controlling the food ingredient. identification information, processing steps and machines to which the food ingredient was exposed, etc.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a food packaging machine, wherein material data packages received by the machine data processing unit comprise transactions stored in a packaged food production hash tree, the machine data processing unit storing data It is operable to validate the material data package with the packaged food production hash tree before creating a transaction. In order to keep the data content of the food production data hash tree as complete and traceable as possible, the hash tree also includes the packaging materials used to manufacture the packages into which the food is filled by food packaging machines. It would be advantageous to have data transactions relating to food safety related events from the lifecycle. As used herein, the term “data transaction relating to food safety-related events” refers to the Refers to any data transaction comprising data. Such data shall control the origin of the packaging material components, the time and place of harvest or production, time and place, and environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, during which the packaging material components are stored or transported. the identity of the operator or entity involved, the processing steps and machines to which the packaging components were exposed, such as the final lamination process when producing laminated packaging.

In another aspect, the invention provides a system for packaging food products comprising a plurality of food packaging machines. The machine hardware data processor unit of each food packaging machine may be operably connected to the network data processing system. A network data processing system may be operably connected to multiple network storage devices. In a setup with at least, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 100 food packaging machines, their hardware processors (e.g., hardware data processors) are connected to the same network processing device, and for network data processing, connected A packaged food production hash tree can be created comprising data transactions received from each of the food packaging machines. These data transactions may be intertwined with each other, such as by including hash values of at least two combined data transactions each received from a different food packaging machine. The network data processing system may be located at a different location than where the food packaging machine is located. Access protection to network data processing systems may be different and potentially more stringent than the access protection applied to each of the food packaging machines, including the network storage devices that they are equipped with. Thus, it is possible for one entity to control the creation of the packaged food production hash tree because the set of instructions for creating the hash tree need only be stored in the network data processing system that executes the instructions. The instruction set can thus be kept secret from the operator of the food packaging machine. While creating the packaged food production hash tree, the network data processing system may create a series of random numbers that are integrated into the packaged food production hash tree and thus form part of the hash values within the hash tree. Without knowledge of these sequences of random numbers, the packaged food production hash tree cannot therefore be recreated. Retroactively modifying the prepackaged food production hash tree requires access to a set of random numbers that can also be kept secret from the prepackaged food production hash tree.

In figure 6 an exemplary embodiment of a system for packaging food comprising two food packaging machines according to the invention is shown. The first food packaging machine 101 comprises a packaging supply module 111 , a food supply module 121 and a filling module 131 . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 141 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 111 , the food supply module 121 and the filling module 131 . The second food packaging machine 102 includes a packaging supply module 112 , a food supply module 122 and a filling module 132 . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 142 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 112 , the food supply module 122 and the filling module 132 . Both the hardware data processor 141 of the first food packaging machine 101 and the hardware data processor 142 of the second food packaging machine 102 are operatively connected to a network data processing system 150, and the network data processing system 150 is further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 161 and 162 .

In another aspect, the invention provides a system for packaging food comprising a plurality of food packaging machines, each of the food packaging machines comprising one of the network storage devices. By having each food packaging machine equipped with one network storage device, the locations of the network storage devices can be as diverse as the locations of the food packaging machines. Protection of network storage devices may therefore be the same as for food packaging machines connected to network data processing devices. A system for packaging food may comprise a plurality, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 100 food packaging machines, whereby each food packaging machine comprises one network storage device. there is As a result, each food packaging machine that contributes its data to the packaged food production hash tree also has a local copy of the hash tree. Each local machine's food safety data can therefore be verified by reference to the locally stored packaged food production hash tree. The locally stored packaged food production hash tree is compared, as a second step of verification, to packaged food production hash trees stored on network storage devices associated with at least one and preferably a plurality of other machines. may be These other machines may be located remotely from the location of the first food packaging machine and protected by independent and different access protection systems. Retroactively modifying the packaged food production hash tree therefore requires access to at least a large number of network storage devices.

In figure 7 an exemplary embodiment of a system for packaging food comprising two food packaging machines according to the invention is shown. The first food packaging machine 101 comprises a packaging supply module 111 , a food supply module 121 and a filling module 131 . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 141 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 111 , the food supply module 121 and the filling module 131 . The second food packaging machine 102 includes a packaging supply module 112 , a food supply module 122 and a filling module 132 . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 142 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 112 , the food supply module 122 and the filling module 132 . Both the hardware data processor 141 of the first food packaging machine 101 and the hardware data processor 142 of the second food packaging machine 102 are operatively connected to a network data processing system 150, and the network data processing system 150 is further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 161 and 162 . The first food packaging machine 101 comprises a first network storage device 161 . The second food packaging machine 102 comprises a second network storage device 162 .

In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for packaging food comprising a plurality of food packaging machines, each of the food packaging machines comprising a network data processing system and a network storage device. Each of the network data processing systems can thus be protected by the same access controls that also protect food packaging machines and network storage devices that reside on the same machine. Each of the hardware data processors of the food packaging machine may be operatively connected to each of the network data processing means. An operable connection may be direct or indirect, such as through one or more other network data processing systems. The network data processing system may be operable to distribute the received data among each of the other network data processing systems. Each of the hardware data processors may be directly and operatively connected to a network data processing system provided on the same food packaging machine as the hardware data processors. A network data processing unit may be operably connected to a network storage device.

In FIG. 8 an exemplary embodiment of a system for packaging food comprising two food packaging machines according to the invention is shown. The first food packaging machine 101 comprises a packaging supply module 111 , a food supply module 121 and a filling module 131 . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 141 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 111 , the food supply module 121 and the filling module 131 . The second food packaging machine 102 includes a packaging supply module 112 , a food supply module 122 and a filling module 132 . The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor 142 operably connected to the packaging material supply module 112 , the food supply module 122 and the filling module 132 . Both the hardware data processor 141 of the first food packaging machine 101 and the hardware data processor 142 of the second food packaging machine 102 operate on the first network data processing system 151 and the second network data processing system 152. Connected as possible. Network data processing systems 151 and 152 are further connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices 161 and 162 . The first food packaging machine 101 comprises a first network data processing system 151 and a first network storage device 161 . The second food packaging machine 102 comprises a second network data processing system 152 and a second network storage device 162 .

In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for packaging food comprising a plurality of food packaging machines, wherein each data processing unit adds a block of received data transactions to a packaged food production hash tree. As such, it can operate according to a joint consensus algorithm. Retroactive recreation or modification of the packaged food production hash tree therefore requires access to a large number of network processing devices to overcome protection by consensus algorithms. The network data processing system may be stored at different locations, preferably remotely, and more preferably additionally, independently protected from unauthorized physical and remote access. Identical instances of the added packaged food production hash tree may be distributed and stored in the network storage device. Each local machine's food safety data can therefore be verified by reference to the locally stored packaged food production hash tree. The locally stored packaged food production hash tree is compared, as a second step of verification, to packaged food production hash trees stored on network storage devices associated with at least one and preferably a plurality of other machines. may be These other machines may be located remotely from the location of the first food packaging machine and protected by independent and different access protection systems. Retroactively modifying the packaged food production hash tree therefore requires access to at least a large number of network storage devices.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for tracking data in a food packaging machine. The food packaging machine comprises a packaging supply module, a food supply module and a filling module. The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor operatively connected to the packaging supply module and operatively connected to the food supply module. The hardware data processor is also operably connected to the network data processing system. A network data processing system is operably connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices. The network data processing system reads the packaged food production data hash tree from one of the network storage devices, adds data transactions to the packaged food production data hash tree, and adds the added packaged food production data hash trees to the plurality of network storage devices. It is operable to produce distributed storage of identical instances of trees.

Each of the food packaging machines described herein and variations thereof are suitable for implementing methods for tracking data in food packaging machines.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of the method shown in FIG. 9, a method 1000 for tracking data in a food packaging machine includes step 1010 of a packaging supply module supplying packaging material to a filling module. The method includes step 1020 in which a filling module forms a molded package from the packaging material. The method includes step 1030 in which a hardware processor (eg, hardware data processor 140) receives a packaging material data record indicative of a packaging material batch currently being supplied to the fill module. The method includes step 1040, where the food supply module supplies food to the filling module. The method includes a step 1050 in which a filling module fills the package with the food product. The method includes step 1060 in which the hardware processor receives food data records indicative of food batches currently being supplied to the filling module. The method comprises: a time stamp identifying the time the hardware processor filled the formed package with the food product supplied by the filling section; a machine data record identifying the filing module or food packaging machine; all or part of the food data record; and a step 1070 of creating a food product data transaction derived from data comprising all or part of the packaging data record. The method includes a step 1080 of the hardware processor sending food data transactions to the network data processing system for data transactions to be added to the packaged food production data hash tree. The method includes a step 1090 in which the filling module seals the filled package. The method includes step 1100 in which the filling module outputs sealed, formed and filled packages. The method steps need not necessarily be performed in the order described above and shown in FIG. 9, but may be organized in any other suitable order.

The method may include receiving an augmented packaged food production data hash tree from a network data processing system, wherein the augmented packaged food production data hash tree is extracted from the packaged food production data by the network data processing system. It has food data transactions added to the hash tree. A packaged food production data hash tree may be obtained from at least one of a plurality of network storage devices by a network data processing system.

All variations and details described herein with respect to the food packaging machine of the invention and the system for producing packaged food of the invention are, mutatis mutandis, applicable to tracking data in the food packaging machine. also applies to the method of

In another aspect, the invention provides instructions for causing a hardware processor (e.g., a hardware data processor) of any food packaging machine described herein to perform steps of a method for tracking food data transactions. to provide a computer program comprising:

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for tracking data in a food packaging machine system comprising first and second food packaging machines. The first food packaging machine comprises a first packaging supply module, a first food supply module and a first filling module. The second food packaging machine comprises a second packaging supply module, a second food supply module and a second filling module. The first food packaging machine further comprises a first hardware data processor operatively connected to the first packaging supply module and operatively connected to the first food supply module. The second food packaging machine is further operably connected to the second packaging supply module and a hardware data processor (e.g., second hardware data processor) operably connected to the second food supply module. processor). A first hardware processor and a second hardware processor are operatively connected to the network data processing system. A network data processing system is operatively connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices. The network data processing system reads a packaged food production data hash tree from one of the network storage devices, appends data transactions to the packaged food production data hash tree, and processes multiple copies of the same instance of the appended packaged food production data hash tree. It is operable to cause distributed storage to network storage devices.

Each of the systems for producing packaged food products described herein, and variations thereof, are suitable for implementing methods for tracking data in food packaging machines.

Referring to the exemplary embodiment of the process shown in FIG. 10, a method 2000 for tracking data in a food packaging machine system according to the present invention includes a method 2000 for tracking data in a food packaging machine system in which a first packaging supply module supplies packaging to a first filling module. , including step 2010 of providing the . The method includes step 2020 in which a first filling module forms a first molded package from the wrapping material. The method includes step 2030 in which the first hardware processor receives a first packaging material data record indicative of a packaging material batch currently being supplied to the first filling module. The method includes step 2040, where a second packaging material supply module supplies packaging material to a second filling module. The method includes step 2050 in which a second filling module forms a second molded package from the wrapping material. The method includes step 2060, in which the second hardware processor receives a second packaging data record indicative of the packaging batch currently being supplied to the fill module. The method includes step 2070 where the first food supply module supplies food to the filling module. The method includes step 2080 where a first filling module fills a first package with a food product. The method includes step 2090 in which the first hardware processor receives a first food product data record indicative of a food product batch currently being supplied to the first filling module. The method comprises: a first hardware processor, a first filing module or a first food packaging machine, a time stamp identifying a time at which a first filling section filled a provided food product into a first formed package; creating a first food product data transaction derived from data comprising the identifying machine data record, all or a portion of the first food product data record, and all or a portion of the first packaging data record; include. The method includes step 2110 of a first hardware processor sending a first food data transaction to a network data processing system for data transaction to be added to the packaged food production data hash tree. The method includes step 2120, where the second food supply module supplies food to the second filling module. The method includes step 2130, in which a second filling module fills the food product into the second package. The method includes step 2140, in which a second hardware processor receives a second food product data record indicative of a food product batch currently being supplied to the filling module. The method includes step 2150, wherein the second hardware processor, the second filing module, or the second filing module or the second hardware processor with a time stamp identifying the time the second filling section filled the provided food product into the second molded package. creating a second food product data transaction derived from data comprising a machine data record identifying the food packaging machine, all or a portion of the second food product data record, and all or a portion of the second packaging material data record; do. The method includes step 2160 of the second hardware processor sending a second food data transaction to the network data processing system for the data transaction to be added to the packaged food production data hash tree. The method includes sealing 2170 the first package filled with the first filling module. The method includes step 2180 where the first filling module outputs the sealed, formed and filled first package. The method includes sealing 2190 the second package filled with the second filling module. The method includes step 2200 where a second filling module outputs sealed, formed and filled second packages. The method steps need not necessarily be performed in the order described above and shown in FIG. 10, but may be organized in any other suitable order.

All variants and details described herein with respect to the food packaging machine of the invention and the system for producing packaged food of the invention are, mutatis mutandis, applicable to data processing in a system for packaging food products. It also applies to methods for tracking

In another aspect, the present invention provides a hardware processor in a first food packaging machine in any system for packaging food products described herein, which stores food data executed by the first food packaging machine. A computer program is provided comprising instructions for performing steps of a method for tracking transactions.

Embodiments of the disclosed methods and products (food packaging machines, systems for packaging food products) are described in the following sections.

Item 1
A food packaging machine (100),
a packaging supply module (110);
a food supply module (120);
a filling module (130);
The filling module is
forming a package from packaging supplied by the packaging supply module;
filling the formed package with a food product supplied by the food supply module;
sealing the filled package,
operable to output sealed, formed and filled packages;
The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor (140) comprising:
operatively connected to the packaging material supply module to receive a packaging material data record indicative of a packaging material batch currently being supplied to the filling module;
operatively connected to the food supply module to receive food data records indicative of food batches currently being supplied to the filling module;
data and
a time stamp identifying the time the filling section filled the provided food product into the formed package;
a machine data record identifying the filing module or food packaging machine;
all or part of the food data record;
all or part of the packaging material data record;
is operable to create food data transactions derived from data comprising
operably connected to a network data processing system (150);
the network data processing system is operatively connected to a plurality of separate network storage devices (161, 162);
A network data processing system is
reading a packaged food production data hash tree from one of the network storage devices;
Add data transactions to the packaged food production data hash tree,
operable to cause distributed storage of identical instances of the appended packaged food production data hash trees in multiple network storage devices;
a hardware data processor operable to transmit food data transactions to a network data processing system for data transactions to be added to the packaged food production data hash tree;
characterized by
food packaging machine.

Item 2
the hardware data processor (140) is further operatively connected to the fill module (130) to receive fill data records indicative of at least one operating parameter of the fill module;
the hardware data processor is operable to create a food product data transaction derived from the data further comprising all or part of the fill data record;
A food packaging machine (100) according to item 2.

Item 3
The food packaging machine further comprises one of the network storage devices (162);
A food packaging machine (100) according to item 1 or 2.

Item 4
the hardware data processor (140) is further operatively connected to a second network data processing system (152) separate from the first network data processing system (151);
a second network data processing system operatively connected to a plurality of network storage devices (163, 164);
A second network data processing system comprises:
reading a second packaged food production data hash tree from one of the network storage devices;
adding the received block of data transactions to a second packaged food production data hash tree;
operable to cause distributed storage of identical instances of a second packaged food production data hash tree in a network storage device;
A food packaging machine (100) according to any one of items 1-3.

Item 5
each food packaging machine hardware data processor (141, 142) is operatively connected to a network data processing system (150);
A network data processing system is operatively connected to a plurality of network storage devices,
A food packaging machine (100) according to any one of items 1-4.

Item 12
each of the food packaging machines comprises one of the network storage devices (161, 162);
12. A system for packaging food, comprising a plurality of food packaging machines (101, 102) according to item 11.

Item 13
Each of the food packaging machines
Equipped with a network data processing system,
with a network storage device,
each of the hardware data processors of the food packaging machine being operatively connected to all of the network data processing systems;
each of the network data processing systems is operatively connected to a network storage device;
13. A system for packaging food, comprising a plurality of food packaging machines (101, 102) according to item 11 or 12.

Item 14
each of the network data processing systems is operable according to a joint consensus algorithm to add blocks of received data transactions to a packaged food production hash tree;
identical instances of the added packaged food production hash tree are stored distributed in a network storage device;
A system for packaging food comprising a plurality of food packaging machines (101, 102) according to any of items 11-13.

Item 15
The method is
receiving a packaging material data record indicating the packaging material batch currently being supplied to the filling module;
receiving a food data record indicating the food batch currently being supplied to the filling module;
data and
a time stamp identifying the time the filling section filled the provided food product into the formed package;
a machine data record identifying the filing module or food packaging machine;
all or part of the food data record;
all or part of the packaging material data record;
create a food data transaction derived from data comprising
sending food data transactions to a network data processing system for data transactions to be added to the packaged food production data hash tree;
including hardware processor steps,
characterized by
A method for tracking food data transactions in a food packaging machine (100) according to any of items 1-10.

Item 16
A computer program comprising instructions for causing a hardware processor of a food packaging machine according to any one of items 1-10 to perform the steps of the method for tracking food data transactions according to item 15.

Item 17
15. A method for tracking food data transactions in a system for packaging food according to any of items 11-14, wherein the system for packaging food comprises: A first food packaging machine and a second food packaging according to any one of items 1 to 10,
The method is
a first hardware processor receiving a first packaging material data record indicative of a packaging material batch currently being supplied to the first filling module;
a first hardware processor receiving a first food product data record indicative of a food product batch currently being dispensed to the first filling module;
a first hardware processor,
A time identifying the time the first filling section filled the supplied food product associated with the first food product data record into the first formed package made from the packaging material associated with the first packaging data record. a stamp;
a machine data record identifying the first filing module or first food packaging machine;
all or part of the first food data record;
all or part of the first packaging material data record;
creating a first food data transaction derived from data comprising:
a first hardware data processor sending the first food product data transaction to the network data processing system for data transaction to be added to the packaged food production data hash tree;
a second hardware processor receiving a second packaging material data record indicative of a packaging material batch currently being supplied to the filling module;
a second hardware processor receiving a second food product data record indicative of the food product batch currently being dispensed to the filling module;
a second hardware processor
A time identifying the time when the second filling section filled the supplied food product associated with the second food product data record into a second formed package made from the packaging material associated with the first packaging data record. a stamp;
a machine data record identifying a second filing module or a second food packaging machine;
all or part of the second food data record;
all or part of the second packaging material data record;
creating a second food data transaction derived from data comprising
a second hardware data processor sending a second food product data transaction to the network data processing system for the data transaction to be added to the packaged food production data hash tree;
characterized by
Method.

Item 18
a hardware processor in a first food packaging machine in a system for packaging food according to any of items 11-14, the food data transaction of item 17 performed by the first food packaging machine; A computer program comprising instructions for performing steps of a method for tracking.

Claims (16)

A food packaging machine (100),
a packaging supply module (110);
a food supply module (120);
a filling module (130);
The filling module is
forming a package from packaging material supplied by the packaging material supply module;
filling the formed package with a food product supplied by the food supply module;
sealing the filled package;
operable to output the sealed, formed and filled package;
The food packaging machine further comprises a hardware data processor (140) comprising:
operatively connected to the packaging material supply module to receive a packaging material data record indicative of a packaging material batch currently being supplied to the filling module;
operatively connected to the food supply module to receive food data records indicative of food batches currently being supplied to the filling module;
data and
a time stamp identifying when the filling module filled the served food product into the formed package;
a machine data record identifying the filling module or the food packaging machine;
all or part of said food data record;
all or part of said packaging material data record;
is operable to create food data transactions derived from data comprising
operably connected to a network data processing system (150);
a hardware data processor operable to transmit said food data transactions to said network data processing system for said food data transactions to be added to a packaged food production data hash tree;
characterized by
food packaging machine. The hardware data processor (140) is operatively connected to the fill module (130), the hardware data processor operable to receive fill data records indicative of at least one operating parameter of the fill module. and
the hardware data processor is operable to create the food product data transaction derived from data further comprising all or part of the fill data record;
The food packaging machine (100) of claim 1. said food packaging machine comprising one of a plurality of network storage devices (161, 162) operably connected to said network data processing system;
A food packaging machine (100) according to any one of claims 1-2. The hardware data processor (140) is operatively connected to a second network data processing system (152) separate from the first network data processing system (151) being the network data processing system (150). ,
said second network data processing system is operatively connected to a plurality of network storage devices (163, 164);
The second network data processing system comprises:
reading a second packaged food production data hash tree from one of said network storage devices;
adding blocks of received data transactions to the second packaged food production data hash tree;
operable to cause distributed storage of identical instances of the second packaged food production data hash tree in the network storage device;
A food packaging machine (100) according to any one of claims 1-3. said hardware data processor (140) is operatively connected to a second network data processing system (152) separate from said network data processing system (151);
said first and second network data processing systems being operatively connected to said plurality of network storage devices (161);
The first network data processing system and the second network data processing system each comprise:
adding blocks of received data transactions to the packaged food production data hash tree;
to store identical instances of the appended packaged food production data hash tree distributed across the network storage device;
operable according to a joint consensus mechanism;
A food packaging machine (100) according to claim 4 . the packaged food production data hash tree is a distributed ledger;
A food packaging machine (100) according to any one of claims 1-5. the packaged food production data hash tree is a blockchain;
A food packaging machine (100) according to any preceding claim. The packaged food production data hash tree is a semi-public blockchain,
A food packaging machine (100) according to any one of claims 1-5.
food data packages received by said hardware data processor (140) comprising transactions stored in said packaged food production data hash tree;
the hardware data processor (140) is operable to validate the food product data package with the packaged food production data hash tree prior to creating the food product data transaction;
A food packaging machine (100) according to any preceding claim. material data packages received by said hardware data processor (140) comprising transactions stored in said packaged food production data hash tree;
the hardware data processor is operable to validate the ingredient data package with the packaged food production data hash tree prior to creating the food product data transaction;
A food packaging machine (100) according to any preceding claim. said hardware data processor (141, 142) of each food packaging machine is operatively connected to said network data processing system (150);
the network data processing system is operably connected to a plurality of network storage devices;
A system for packaging food products comprising a plurality of food packaging machines (101, 102) according to any one of claims 1-10. each of said food packaging machines comprising one of said network storage devices (161, 162);
A system for packaging food products comprising a plurality of food packaging machines (101, 102) according to claim 11. each of the food packaging machines comprising:
Equipped with a network data processing system,
with a network storage device,
each of the hardware data processors of the food packaging machine being operatively connected to all of the network data processing systems;
each of the network data processing systems is operatively connected to the network storage device;
A system for packaging food products comprising a plurality of food packaging machines (101, 102) according to any one of claims 11-12. each of said network data processing systems is operable according to a joint consensus algorithm to add a block of received data transactions to said packaged food production data hash tree;
identical instances of the added packaged food production data hash tree are distributed and stored in the network storage device;
A system for packaging food products comprising a plurality of food packaging machines (101, 102) according to any one of claims 11-13. A method for tracking food data transactions in a food packaging machine (100) comprising a hardware data processor (140), performed by the food packaging machine (100), comprising:
The method comprises: the hardware data processor (140) comprising:
receiving a packaging material data record indicating the packaging material batch currently being supplied to the filling module;
receiving food data records indicating food batches currently being dispensed into the filling module;
data and
a time stamp identifying the time the filling section filled the provided food product into the formed package;
a machine data record identifying the filling module or the food packaging machine;
all or part of said food data record;
all or part of said packaging material data record;
creating food data transactions derived from data comprising
sending said food data transactions to a network data processing system for data transactions to be added to a packaged food production data hash tree;
A method characterized by: A computer program comprising instructions for causing the hardware data processor of a food packaging machine to perform the steps of the method for tracking food data transactions of claim 15.

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